Things to do · Arts and crafts
Learn origami
A friend has invited you to do this with them.
Origami turns a square of paper into a swan, a penguin or a cat's head with folds alone. Both national societies publish free diagrams, and local groups and library classes meet in the UK and US.
GentleUnder £100 / $130A few weeksIndoorsAlone or with othersUK and US
How beginners start
A first class teaches the basic folds, then models that get gradually harder, and how to follow written instructions and diagrams. One library session in Nottinghamshire covered a penguin, a cat's and a dog's head and a swan, and touched on simple geometry such as angles, proportion and ratio along the way.
You need very little. The same course asked for square paper, ideally 15 x 15 cm (about 6 x 6 in) or larger, and said paper coloured differently on each side (one side can be white) makes instructions easier to follow; commercial origami paper is usually more accurately cut. A Hampshire library course charged £5 for all its materials.
The British Origami Society is a registered charity devoted to paper folding, with free diagrams and video tutorials under Learn to Fold, a members' magazine every two months, and mini meetings, including new ones in Bristol and Salisbury in 2026. OrigamiUSA, the American national society, has a free diagram collection, a directory of folding groups with their locations, contacts and meeting places, and monthly Folding Sundays in New York.
Ways in compared
| Where | Format | Cost (as last listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Hampshire libraries (Fleet Library) | Beginners Origami: five weekly two-hour sessions, June to July 2026; Hampshire residents; no experience needed | £0, plus £5 for materials paid to the tutor |
| Forest Hill Community Library, Lewisham, London | Monthly origami class, no experience needed, no booking needed (as listed August 2025) | Free |
| British Origami Society | Membership with bi-monthly magazine and member content | From £15 a year |
| British Origami Society 60th anniversary convention | East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, 2 to 5 September 2027 | Not shown on the booking page |
| BOS and OrigamiUSA virtual convention | Online via Zoom, 3 to 4 April 2027 | Not shown on the booking page |
| OrigamiUSA local groups (US) | Folding groups in cities across the country; the directory lists locations, contacts and meeting places | Not listed |
OrigamiUSA's Pacific Coast convention is listed for 23 to 27 September 2027 in Bellevue, Washington. Check the society pages for current details before you book.
How to start
- Fold a few simple models from the free diagrams and videos on the British Origami Society or OrigamiUSA websites.
- Look for a beginners' class at your library or adult-learning service, or a local folding group in the British Origami Society's mini meetings or OrigamiUSA's group directory.
- When you want more, join a society for its magazine and go to a convention, online or in person.
Where to go
- British Origami Society: free diagrams, membership, conventions and mini meetings UK
- British Origami Society: convention bookings
- Hampshire Adult Learning in Libraries: Beginners Origami course (Fleet Library) UK
- OrigamiUSA: free diagrams, classes and conventions US
- OrigamiUSA: find a local folding group US
We opened these links on 11 November 2026 and found them to be what we say. Dates, places and prices are on the official page, where they stay up to date.
Plan this
Two ways to plan it.
Plan it yourself Free
The links you need to book it, get there, find somewhere to stay and eat, and see what else there is to do nearby. They are searches for you to run; nothing is saved.
Show the links
Plan it with dates
Pick a day, or a month, and we will set out how to get ready, step by step, with a date and a reason for each. Courses and classes have start dates and can fill up, so the plan begins with finding and booking one. Kit comes after the first session, once you know what you need.
Questions people ask
How do I start learning origami?
Start with simple models from free diagrams, such as those the British Origami Society and OrigamiUSA publish, then try a beginners' class or a local folding group.
What paper is best for origami beginners?
Square paper of at least 15 x 15 cm (about 6 x 6 in). One library course said paper coloured differently on each side makes instructions easier to follow.
Are there origami clubs near me?
The British Origami Society runs mini meetings, including new ones in Bristol and Salisbury, and OrigamiUSA keeps a directory of US, Canadian and international folding groups.
How much does it cost to join the British Origami Society?
Membership is listed from £15 a year and includes a magazine every two months.
Where this comes from: British Origami Society, Home page; British Origami Society, Events (Ticket Tailor); Hampshire County Council, Beginners Origami: Fold Your Way to Wellness, Fleet Library; Inspire (Nottinghamshire), Origami for Beginners, Bingham Library; Lewisham Libraries, Origami Class for Adults; OrigamiUSA, Home page; OrigamiUSA, Origami groups. Opened 11 November 2026.
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